Elon Musk and Indonesian Health Minister Launch Starlink in Indonesia
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, along with Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, recently launched SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia. The initiative aims to enhance healthcare access in rural areas of the vast Indonesian archipelago.
Musk’s Visit to Bali
Musk arrived on the Indonesian resort island of Bali via private aircraft to attend the inauguration event at a community health center in Denpasar, the province’s capital. Dressed in a green batik shirt, Musk emphasized how Starlink would significantly enhance internet connectivity for millions across Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands and three time zones.
Benefits of Starlink in Indonesia
“I’m very excited to bring connectivity to places that have low connectivity,” Musk stated during the event. “If you have access to the internet, you can learn anything.”
Three Indonesian health centers, including two in Bali and one on the remote Maluku Island of Aru, were equipped with the Starlink service. The high-speed internet is expected to facilitate real-time data input, aiding in the management of health conditions such as stunting and malnutrition.
Focus on Connectivity
When asked about potential investments in Indonesia’s electric vehicle industry, Musk emphasized his current focus on Starlink. “We are concentrating on Starlink and the advantages that connectivity brings to remote islands,” he explained. “Internet connectivity can be a lifesaver.”
Commercial Availability and Expansion
Communications Minister Budi Arie Setiadi announced at the Bali inauguration that Starlink is now commercially available, with a specific emphasis on outer and underdeveloped districts. Before the launch, Starlink obtained permits to operate as a retail internet service provider and a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) provider.
SpaceX’s Starlink leads the satellite internet industry, with a majority of the 7,500 spacecraft orbiting Earth. Indonesia is the third Southeast Asian country where Starlink operates, following Malaysia and the Philippines. Starlink also has a significant presence in Ukraine, supporting military, healthcare, business, and humanitarian activities.
